Taught LL.M modules available as part of the Structured PhD in Law
Modules
ModuleDescriptionECTSModule owner
LW475Field Experience Assignment15Ray Murphy
LW451Introduction to International Human Rights Law15Kathleen Cavanaugh
LW417Contemporary Issues in Human Rights Law II10Rick Lines
LW432Business & Human Rights I15Shane Darcy
LW456Gender and Human Rights15Ekaterina Krivenko
LW458.IInternational Humanitarian Law and Human Rights15Noelle Higgins
LW466European Convention on Human Rights15Kathleen Cavanaugh
LW467Minority Rights and Self Determination15Noelle Higgins
LW469International Peace Support Operations15Ray Murphy
LW470Conflict & Post Conflict Studies15Kathleen Cavanaugh
LW474European Union & Human Rights10Annabel Egan
LW481Economic, Social & Cultural Rights15John Reynolds
LW494Refugee Protection:Refugees and Asylum Seekers (A)15Ciara Smyth & Peter Fitzmaurice
LW520Introduction to International Criminal Law15Shane Darcy
LW525Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights5Michael Newton
LW530Procedure Before International Criminal Courts5Noelle Higgins
LW531Introduction to Public International Law I15EkaterinaKrivenko
LW538Transitional Justice10Shane Darcy
LW546Contemporary Issues in HRIII5Ekaterina Krivenko
LW547Human Rights Field Work: Law and Practice5Michael O’Flaherty
LW548Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity5Michael O’Flaherty
LW484Law, Regulation and Policy10Padraic Kenna and Charles O’Mahony
LW552Foundational Theoretical Framework in Disability Law and Policy10Gerard Quinn
LW562Regional Disability Law and Policy10Gerard Quinn
LW558Legal Capacity Law and Policy10Gerard Quinn
LW550Advocacy and Access to Justice10Eilionoir Flynn
LW561Mental Health Law and Policy10Mary Keys
LW553Inclusive Education Law and Policy10Shivaun Quinlivan
LW551Contemporary Challenges in Disability Law and Policy10Donal Rice
LW483Advanced Legal Research and Methods10Larry Donnelly
LW485Sentencing and Penal Policy10Tom O’Malley
LW486Theories of Judicial Activism10Larry Donnelly
LW487Communications Law: Law, Technology and Change10Marie McGonagle
LW488Processes of Law Reform10Donncha O’Connell
LW489Disability Law Reform Challenges10Mary Keys
LW493The Criminal Jury10Conor Hanly
LW496Local Government Law10Padraic Kenna
LW439Advocacy, Activism & Public Interest Law10Donncha O’Connell
LW566Immigration Law : Between Sovereignty & Equality10Ciara Smyth
LW508Minors, Minority Groups & the Criminal Justice System10Charles O’Mahony
Brief module descriptors
Field Experience Assignment (LW475)
This module provides an opportunity for students to undertake field missions as part of their LLM studies. It usually applies to Defence Forces personnel or Gardai who undertake a UN or similar peacekeeping mission in the course of their studies (part time) and to submit a written paper on some aspect of their mission abroad. The paper must meet the academic requirements of a Masters Programme and the topic must be approved by the relevant supervisor.
Introduction to International Human Rights Law (LW451)
The course seeks to provide post-graduate students with a general introduction to the sources, systems and foundations of international human rights law. The course combines lectures and tutorial group meetings. Students are expected to prepare for the lectures and seminars by reading the materials recommended in the syllabus.
Business and Human Rights 1 (LW432)
The course engages post-graduate students with the topic of business and human rights, exploring questions regarding the extent to which business entities such as multinational corporations have human rights obligations. It considers developments at the international and domestic level to promote accountability and ensure compliance with emerging standards.
Gender and Human Rights (LW456)
The course aims at providing students with the knowledge of the relationship between gender and human rights. It explores origins, development and challenges of integrating gender into human rights law discourse and practice. Focusing on international protection of women’s human rights as an example, the course introduces students to relevant international bodies and instruments. It also introduces students to the critical analysis of law through the study of feminist legal methods within the context of women’s rights protection.
International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights (LW458.I)
This module provides students with an understanding of the legal regimes pertaining to the use of force and armed conflict. It focuses on the rules and principles that apply in situations of armed conflict, such as the principles of distinction, proportionality and military necessity. Topics covered include the distinction between international armed conflicts and non-international armed conflicts, the laws of occupation, the laws applicable to prisoners of war, the laws applicable to peace support operations etc. The module also deals with the enforcement of international humanitarian law.
European Convention on Human Rights (LW466)
This course will critically engage the underpinnings of the Convention and the Strasbourg case law. The course will explore the influence of the Convention as well as the extent to which politics informs the law and law, the politics. Whilst some Convention rights will be dealt with on an article-to-article basis, the methodological leanings of this course will be an examination of rights on an issue-by-issue basis.
Minority Rights and Self Determination (LW467)
The module introduces students to the legal framework pertaining to minorities and indigenous peoples. It also focuses on the right to self-determination in the context of minority groups and indigenous peoples. It presents the legal framework in a sociological and political context and explores the challenges to the protection of the rights of minorities and of indigenous peoples under international, regional and national laws. In particular the module focuses on the protection of minority and indigenous language, religion and culture and how these issues have been developed through international and regional jurisprudence.
International PeaceOperations (LW469)
This module provides an introduction to Peace Operations. It examines the legal framework of such operations and the UN Charter. The course examines peace operations from a thematic and case study basis. Issues addressed include the protection of civilians, peace operations and international humanitarian law and human rights law, the use of force and the role of regional organisations.
Conflict & Post Conflict Studies (LW470)
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of intra-state conflict as well as an understanding of the legal, political, and structural underpinnings that sustain conflict. The course will evaluate the emerging issues and challenges confronting HRL and IHL, including challenges posed by the remnants of the ‘war on terror’ discourse and will focus on two particular conflicts, Northern Ireland and Israel/Palestine, unpacking the complexities imminent in them, and seeking to provide direction as to the relevant outstanding post-conflict issues.
European Union and Human Rights (LW466)
The objective of this course is to consider the evolution of the foundational doctrine of the EU as a community based on respect for human rights before proceeding to a detailed examination of the promotion of human rights as an objective of EU external relations policy. The Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union claim respect for human rights as a foundational doctrine of the EU, committing the EU to the protection and promotion of human rights both internally and externally.
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (LW481)
This course explores economic, social & cultural rights, as a vehicle for the material means to attain satisfactory standards of living in an egalitarian society, and the socio-cultural agency to influence an enlightened society. An expansive reading of economic, social & cultural rights thus implies a radically progressive politics, structural social change and distributive justice. The course considers relevant treaty law, as well as national and international jurisprudence.
Refugee Protection: Refugees and Asylum Seekers (LW494)
This course explores the international, regional and domestic systems for the protection of asylum seekers and refugees. Beginning with the seminal 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the course focuses the definition of a refugee and the grounds for ceasing and excluding refugee status. Next, the course explores how international human rights law has developed to supplement refugee law in a number of key areas. Focus then shifts to one of the major systems of regional protection in the world, namely, the EU Common European Asylum System. Students will analyse whether this system adds to or detracts from the protection provided by the 1951 Convention. The peculiarities of the Irish asylum system are then discussed, drawing the experience of a number of practitioners in Irish asylum law. Finally, the course will look at some contemporary issues in refugee protection, such as the treatment of internally displaced persons, child refugee claimants, war refugees and particular challenges faced by refugees in the Global South.
Introduction to International Criminal Law (LW520)
The course introduces post-graduate students to the subject of international criminal law. During the course, students will explore the history and development of international criminal law, the established crimes under international law, the mechanisms of international criminal justice and general principles of international criminal law.
Counter-terrorism and Human Rights (LW525)
This course introduces students to how the protection of human rights may be affected by counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices. It explores the relevance of – and the relationship between - international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the context of counter-terrorism. Students will also consider contentious debates in the area of counter-terrorism, i.e., the justifiability of the use of torture/the lawfulness of targeted killings/restrictions on freedom of expression.
Procedure before International Criminal Courts (LW530)
The module introduces students to the laws of procedure and evidence before international criminal courts and tribunals. The module focuses in particular on the law and practice of the International Criminal Court. It explores the rights of the accused in international criminal law and analyses the law of evidence and procedure throughout the various phases of international law cases, at the pre-trial, trial, appeal and sentencing stages.
Introduction to Public International Law 1 (LW531)
The course introduces students to basic concepts of public international law and equips students with skills required in order to envisage legal dimension of international issues. The main objective of the course is to provide students with an overview of the fundamental notions and methodology of public international law. The course will equip students with the skills required in order to envisage legal dimensions of human rights issues. Being targeted at postgraduate students, it also aims at developing students' critical analysis skills.
Transitional Justice (LW538)
The course introduces post-graduate students to the debates, concepts and dilemmas in the relatively new field of transitional justice, exploring the various accountability mechanisms that exist in addition to international or domestic criminal prosecution. It encourages students to critically evaluate transitional justice mechanisms in light of stated objectives such as justice, truth, peace and reconciliation, and compliance with human rights law
Contemporary Issues in Human Rights III: Islam and Human Rights (LW546)
The course aims at providing students with the knowledge of the relationship between Islam and human rights. It explores the relationship between cultural relativism and universalism claims taking Islam as an example. The course introduces students to relevant theories and methodological tools for developing a constructive dialogical attitude with regard to cultural claims. A brief introduction to basic notions of Islamic law is followed by a study and critical analysis of a series of apparent tensions between Islam and human rights: Islamic criminal justice system and traditional punishments, freedom of religion and treatment of minorities and women’s rights.
Human Rights Field Work: Law and Practice (LW547)
Human rights field work is a professional exercise engaging law, ethics and more or less settled methodologies. This module will explore this developing area, with focus on such operational contexts as human rights monitoring, analysis, reporting, advocacy, intervention and capacity building. Attention will be made to the measurement of the impact of human rights work and of the related indicators. An examination of the relationship of law, theory and practice will underpin all module content.
Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity (LW548)
In this course we will first examine the experience of human rights violations perpetrated against members of sexual minorities and then locate the international human rights legal protection framework. Following an examination of such intellectual categorisations as "sexual orientation" and "gender identity", attention will be paid to the application of the international human rights treaties and the operation of the international (especially of the United Nations) supervisory mechanisms.
Law, Regulation and Policy (LW484)
This foundation course will examine the role of law in the formulation and implementation of regulation and policy in various fields of the law. The role of law in facilitating activities, in providing a framework and structure within which they can operate, and in establishing a basis for regulatory norms and practices, will be discussed. The role of regulatory bodies in devising regulation (goal setting, establishing criteria, engaging in consultation processes etc.) and implementing it (monitoring, compliance, adjudicating, advocacy, etc.) will be considered, as will various forms of regulation (regulation, co-regulation, self-regulation, etc.). The focus of the course will range from national to European (EU and Council Of Europe) and international level. Topics may vary from year to year.
Foundational Theoretical Framework for Disability Law and Policy (LW552)
This foundation course will examine the role of law in the formulation and implementation of regulation and policy in various fields of public law. The role of law in facilitating activities, in providing a framework and structure within which they can operate, and in establishing a basis for regulatory norms and practices, will be discussed. The role of regulatory bodies in devising regulation (goal setting, establishing criteria, engaging in consultation processes etc.) and implementing it (monitoring, compliance, adjudicating, advocacy, etc.) will be considered, as will various forms of regulation (regulation, co-regulation, self- regulation, etc.). The focus of the course will range from national to European (EU and Council Of Europe) level and cover a variety of topics, for example law and governance in the context of the EU. Topics may vary from year to year.
Regional Disability Law and Policy (LW562)
This module will give an overview of various regional approaches to disability law and policy as a way of transposing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and as a way of stimulating region-wide reform.While the main focus will be on European disability law & policy reform, (European Union, OECD, Council of Europe), the course will also address regional developments elsewhere such as those occurring in the Asia/Pacific region, the Organisation of American States (OAS), the African Union (AU). Of particular focus will be development aid as a way of underpinning global change. There will therefore be coverage of the World Bank and its related activities.
Legal Capacity Law and Policy (LW558)
The focus of this course is on international, regional and national law reform of legal capacity laws. Key issues will include supported decision-making and the assessment of legal capacity.
Advocacy and Access to Justice (LWLW550)
This module will address the broad scope of access to justice for people with disabilities (including access to information, and to the systems and procedures used in the administration of justice). It will highlight how people with disabilities experience barriers in accessing justice, and how these barriers can be redressed, through statutory advocacy services and other innovative rights-enforcement mechanisms.
Mental Health Law and Policy (LW561)
The purpose of this course is to explore the key challenges facing mental health law and policy at the international, regional and national level. Based on the inherent equality of all persons, this course will examine the legitimacy of laws and policy priorities that effect the confinement and forcible treatment of persons from a civil and criminal law perspective.
Inclusive Education Law and Policy (LWLW553)
The purpose of this course is to explore the key challenges facing the process of inclusive education reform that is underway worldwide as well as in Ireland. Effectively, this is a law reform process that seeks to accommodate human difference within the education system, and is premised on the inherent equality of all persons and a rejection of the ‘separate but equal’ segregationist doctrine. This move towards mainstream education, to truly inclusive education is not without its critics, with some championing the necessity for separate provision in certain situations (e.g. deaf community, and parents of children with autism).
Contemporary Challenges in Disability Law and Policy (LW551)
The aim of this course is to engage students in the very latest issues and themes of debate in the area of Disability Law and Policy. This course will provide a forum for the discussion of current issues in Disability Law and Policy form the point of view of law, philosophy, economics and sociology from both a theoretical and practical perspectives. Topics may include: Development Aid, Administration and Management of Disability, Aging and Disability and Family Support and Disability. As the emphasis is on contemporary issues, precise themes addressed may vary from year to year.
Advanced Legal Research and Methods (LW483))
This course will build on the research skills already acquired by students in their primary law degree programmes. It will be closely linked with and designed to facilitate the writing components and the minor thesis requirement of all students on the programme. The emphasis will be on practical exercises which will include elements of the following: textual analysis, database training, literature review, research presentation, abstract writing, report writing, research evaluation.
Sentencing and Penal Policy (LW485)
This course begins with a detailed analysis of the moral justifications for punishment and their current relevance. This will be followed by a study of the historical development of selected penal practices and institutions, including imprisonment, probation and community based sanctions. The latter part of the course will concentrate on judicial sentencing practices, with particular emphasis on the general principles of sentencing developed by courts in common law jurisdictions, and on the strategies more recently adopted by governments and courts in other Western countries to structure sentencing discretion. Sentencing theory and policy has been enriched by contributions from many disciplines including philosophy, social theory, law and history. The reading required for this course will draw on all of those disciplines.